Nawaz and the NAP

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Again, more talk than action

 

The prime minister has put the nation in a dilemma. No doubt he’s had much on his plate for quite some time now. The electricity crisis has been unrelenting, but there was also worsening security to deal with, then the dharna paralysed the government, then the gas crisis came, and now there’s the fuel crisis. It didn’t help, of course, that his government went out of the way to muddy the waters with the military; regarding the military offensive as well as Gen Musharraf’s trial. But Peshawar gave him the opportunity to reinvent himself and the government. The scale of the tragedy united the political front under his command. All he had to do was follow the check list; remove the terrorists, then their sanctuaries, then their sympathisers, etc.

But progress since Peshawar has left a little to be desired. Nawaz’s high-level security meeting to discuss the National Action Plan yesterday could have been taken for an extension of his flurry of meetings to address the oil crisis. Each time there were promises, but little action, save the typical forming of committees and the odd suspension here and there. It is of concern, to say the least, that headlines coming out of the meeting – almost 40 days after the tragedy – still spoke of ‘terrorists and abettors” to be targeted, etc. He also said that the government’s seriousness to counter terrorism should not be doubted. That’s all fine – and has been for some time – yet there’s still no hint of a concrete to-do list; what will be the next phase of the operation, will outfits operating from Punjab and Sindh be targeted, will sectarian terrorism finally be addressed? And regarding sympathisers, why the silence on Lal Masjid despite official confirmation of its threat level? And why the contradicting statements on Haqqani Network and JuD?

The ISPR made headlines, too, by lashing out against doubts about the military’s ability to deal with the problem. While there is no doubt that the forces can get a handle on the insurgency, they should be a little more transparent about the operation. So far we have been told how many terrorists have been killed, and how much of NW has been secured, but there’s neither independent authentication nor detailed explanation. Interestingly the couple of names that did come out were US wanted terrorists, and were killed when Gen Sharif was in Washington. Considering that this is a pivotal moment in an existential war, the people should be brought up to speed. And the government must realise that it does itself, and the country, no favours by waving its fists when it is unable to deliver on the ground. The prime minister is in danger of losing the unity that came in the wake of the Peshawar attack.

2 COMMENTS

  1. what else can we expect from civilian dispensation & leadership. If they were so competent, military court was not the answer under the cover of new doctrine " extra ordinary situation ". Were we not living under such extra ordinary situation for the last 5 years & 20 months ? Was extra ordinary situation created after APS only ? whom are we fooling…only ourselves & we should all be prepared with answer to give on the day of judgment.

  2. Let us compare our action against with that of France against " terrorism ".

    -The govt of France unveils anti-terrorism measures within 2 weeks after attack
    – Immediately 4 men were charged with helping the attackers, helping them plan attack & conspiracy to commit terrorist acts
    – PM of France announces $800 million to be spent over next 3 years on " fight against terrorism".
    – French authorities have identified 3000 people with militant ties & are under watch
    – In response, France to induct 2600+ officers to fight extremism
    – French PM has reinforced commitment to increase human & technical resources of intelligence services across France. Draft law to be introduce in the Parliament to make this a # 1 priority
    – A large part of French govt effort would be concentrated on fighting radicalization & recruitment of 60 muslim " chaplins" will be hired on top of 182 already working in jails
    – Isolation of radical prisoners will be extended to other areas of France
    – Monitoring of internet will be further enhanced especially " cyber jihadism"
    – People found guilty of terrorism offence will be stripped of French citizenship
    – tightening up its " Schengen passport-free system to boost checks on its external border to pick up militants
    – Any French citizen found to have been to places of militant action & engaged in training etc; will not be allowed back in France & passport cancelled

    So, my dear Pakistanios…can we ever think of such quick action ? we can only talk & talk…not talk the walk.

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